According to a report by Daily Trust on Saturday, March 21, 2026, former presidential aide Laolu Akande has criticised the composition of the delegation that accompanied President Bola Tinubu on his recent visit to London, raising concerns over the necessity of several officials included in the trip.
Akande’s remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of the President’s travel, which followed deadly attacks in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The violence, which claimed lives and left many injured, had already triggered debate over leadership priorities and response during national crises.
While acknowledging that the directive for military chiefs to relocate to the troubled region was a prompt step, Akande argued that leadership also requires visible empathy and symbolic presence during periods of national grief.
He suggested that beyond security decisions, public reassurance remains a critical aspect of governance.
The former aide further questioned the size and purpose of the delegation, pointing to what he described as an unnecessary expansion of officials on the trip. “Look at the excesses of this UK for instance.
Several state governors, tonnes of ministers and aides, accompanied the president and the first lady, when clearly not all of them have definite roles to play in the state visits, besides just showing up and join in the alluring aroma as if the whole thing is a shindig,” he said.
Akande also warned that such optics could shape global perception, especially when the country is grappling with insecurity. He noted that international audiences may contrast diplomatic engagements abroad with the realities of violence at home.
Despite recognising the importance of foreign relations, he maintained that official trips must be balanced with strong domestic leadership signals, particularly in moments of crisis.
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